MLA Format and Citing Sources Avoiding Plagiarism

MLA Format Review 12-pt. Times New Roman Font 1-Inch Margins Double-Spaced Header with Page Numbers Proper Heading

Sample Paper Format Smith 1

What is a Works Cited Page? A Works Cited page is a list that names all of the reference sources a writer has included in his or her research paper. All sources MUST be listed to avoid PLAGIARISM, which is taking someone's words or ideas as if they were your own.

Where is a Works Cited page? A works cited page appears as a separate page after your essay to show all of the sources you have referenced in your writing. It is considered the last page of your essay and should be numbered accordingly. In other words, page 5 of a 5-page paper.

What is the format? 12-point Times New Roman font 1-inch Margins Double Spaced Title is in normal font, NOT larger, bold, or underlined Entries will appear in alphabetical order Each entry must have a hanging indent Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. McDougal Littell Literature, 2008 edition. Evanston: McDougal Littell, Print.

Sample Works Cited Format Smith 4

Works Cited Entries Works cited entries look different depending on the type of work you are referencing. There is a special formula for each type of source material. You must follow these formulas CAREFULLY to receive credit. Pay special attention to the types of punctuation used.

Basics of Every Entry Author Title (or titles) Publication Information Date of Publication Page Numbers Medium Other Information

Basics of Every Entry If any item is missing, skip it! Move on to the next item on the list. Example—Reference Article with no author. “Ginsburg, Ruth Bader.” Who’s Who in America. 62 nd ed Print.

How to Cite a…BOOK! Format: Author. Title. City: Publisher, Year. Print. Examples: Carré, John le. The Tailor of Panama. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Print. McCarthy, Cormac. The Road. New York: Vintage International, Print.

How to Cite a…Newspaper Article Format: Author. “Title of Article.” Title of Newspaper Date of publication, edition: section page number. Print. Example: Jeromack, Paul. “This Once, A David of the Art World Does Goliath a Favor.” New York Times 13 July 2002, New England ed.: A13+. Print.

How to Cite a…Magazine Article Format: Author. “Title of Article.” Title of Magazine Date of Publication: Page Numbering. Print. Example: Wood, Jason. “Spellbound.” Sight and Sound Dec. 2005: Print.

How to Cite an…Article in a Reference Book Format: Author. “Title of Article.” Title of Book. Editor. Publication Information. City: Publisher, Year. Print. Example: Allen, Anita L. “Privacy in Health Care.” Encyclopedia of Bioethics. Ed. Steven G. Post. 3 rd ed. Vol. 4. New York: Macmillan-Thompson, Print.

How to Cite an…Article in a Scholarly Journal Format: Author. “Title of the Article.” Title of Journal Publication Information (Date): Page number. Print. Examples: Barthelme, Frederick. “Architecture.” Kansas Quarterly (1981): Print. Williams, Linda. “Of Kisses and Ellipses: The Long Adolescence of American Movies.” Critical Inquiry 32.2 (2006): Print.

There are also formats for… Books with Multiple Authors Anthologies Reviews Pamphlets Editorials If you want to use any of these items, see me!

How to Cite a…Page of a Website Format: Author. “Title of Work.” Title of Website. Publisher or Sponsor, Date of Publication. Web. Date of Access. (If publisher or sponsor is not available, include N.p. If date of publication is not available, include N.d.) Examples: Tyre, Peg. “Standardized Tests in College?.” Newsweek. Newsweek, 16 Nov Web. 15 May “Hourly News Summary.” National Public Radio. Natl. Public Radio, 20 July Web. 20 July 2007.

How to Cite a…Work from a Database To cite a work from a periodical in an online database, such as a newspaper or magazine article, begin the entry by following the recommendations for the original print source. If the original page numbers are available, include them. If only the starting page number is given include it”+”. If no page numbers are given, include n. pag.

How to Cite a…Work from a Database Format: ALWAYS end the entry with… Title of Database. Web. Date of Access. Examples: Chan, Evans. “Postmodernism and Hong Kong Cinema.” Postmodern Culture 10.3 (2000): n. pag. Project Muse. Web. 5 June Lal, Ananda. “Letter.” TDR 51.3 (2007): Project Muse. Web. 30 Nov

There are also formats for… Interviews Lectures and Speeches TV Broadcasts Videos, Film, or DVDs Legal Sources More! If you want to use any of these items, see me!

Works Cited (For this PowerPoint!) MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 7 th ed. New York: The Modern Language Association of America, Print.